Coronavirus and recovery issues

Second Sunday Series

– Editor’s Note: This is the eighth of 12 columns on job search and career building during recovery from addiction, appearing over 12 months – one each on the second Sunday of the month, from September through August.

Welcome to recovery maintenance in the age of COVID-19. This isn’t the easiest time to do something that would be difficult in the best of circumstances but, oh well: If you’re in recovery from addiction, this is the hand you’re being dealt.

Does that sound harsh? One of the gifts of recovery is the freedom / obligation to be honest with yourself. In this case, that honesty has to include staying accountable for your recovery journey, even in these extraordinary times. And that’s not easy.

If you’re struggling, or if you have slipped, you know that you need to reach out for help. There are any number of good organizations that can be a resource, so I’ll list just one for the moment: SAMHSA, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. As an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one of SAMSHA’s roles is to provide resources related to addiction and behavioral health. They have a 24/7 helpline (877-726-4727) as well as a web site with links to resources around the country (samhsa.gov).

Even if you’re not feeling a strain right now related to your recovery, you’re almost certainly feeling extra stress, along with everyone else. Work, or a lack of work, may be part of that COVID-19 bonus package that you’re managing, but it’s not the only element. Following are some suggestions that may help you cope over the coming weeks and months.

Protect your recovery. As priorities go, this is a good one. You’ve worked hard to get to the stage you’re at and you deserve to hold onto your progress. Go to your meetings online if that’s possible, or check out new meetings to attend electronically. Stay close to your sponsor, and to others who are supportive of your recovery.

And pay attention to triggers that bring you back to an addictive mindset, whether they include anxiety, boredom or a break in your routine. Likewise, if current work conditions are adding to your stress, you may need to initiate some problem-solving to help you manage.

Protect your job. Assuming that you’re still on the job, and that it’s not overwhelming your recovery, hanging onto your position is another good priority. That may sound obvious, but when we’re stressed, clear thinking can be an early casualty. There are at least two reasons to protect your job: to provide ongoing income and benefits, and to maintain a sense of normalcy and routine. What this step entails will differ in each workplace but it could be as simple as volunteering for alternate assignments or accepting reduced hours.

If not working, take stock: Do you need a job? There are strong arguments for not job hunting right now, including the risk of infection if you start working outside your home. On the other hand, by staying sidelined, you may be risking your mental health – not to mention your finances. The answer may not be obvious, but you should at least run the scenarios so your decision will feel intentional.

Maintain your relationships, and help others. Now is the time to reach out to friends and family, even for a quick check-in. While you’re at it, reach a little further to someone you know less well, or not at all. Even a quick, “Hi – I was thinking about you and wanted to see how you’re doing” can have a much bigger impact than you might expect – on the other person, and on you as well.

Improve or learn something. It doesn’t have to be big, but if you can take on a project, you’ll earn a few endorphins for having achieved something. Consider a home improvement task, a trek into online learning, or even a daily commitment to pick up litter in the neighborhood.

Keep a routine. It’s basically a denial of impulse to impose a discipline when there’s no outside reason for it. But it’s also a salvation to follow a pattern that doesn’t leave room for activities you’re trying to avoid. People who have been to a residential treatment program know there’s a reason they keep you scheduled from dawn to dusk.

There’s also a reason that journaling is emphasized in these programs. If you’re not already jotting down some thoughts every day, now might be a good time to revisit that habit. Later, you could be surprised to see your ideas from this period, both negative and positive. It’s a good gift to the future you, as is your recovery itself. Whichever of these tips you decide to implement, hang on and know that more people are pulling for you than you might ever imagine.